An Aberdeen business boss is leading a group of fund-raisers as they cycle across Scotland next week in aid of two community projects in Africa.
The group of 24 intrepid cyclists from Banchory West Church are pedalling the 60 miles from Laxford Bridge, on the west coast, to Dornoch.
They are raising money for an urban health centre and nursery-building scheme which are supported by the church on an ongoing basis.
Ian Mechie, Managing Director of software consultancy Absoft, said: “The route we have chosen is one of the shorter ones in terms of crossing Scotland but we still expect it to be a fairly challenging cycle. The youngest participant is just 10 years old and the oldest cyclists are in their 60’s.
“We’ve been supporting these two important projects in Africa for some time now and we’ve already received excellent support for this latest fund-raising venture.
“In both cases we strive to ensure the money goes directly to the local management teams so they can make the best possible use of our donations. Our aim with the cycle ride is to generate £10,000 of funding for the projects.”
The urban health centre in Aba, Nigeria, caters for the needs of people living in a slum area of the city, while the Nansato nursery project in Malawi has seen four facilities built to date to look after and educate local youngsters, many of whom are orphans.
